Health Secretary Sajid Javid will hold a press conference this evening.
It comes amid concerns over soaring infection rates - and after the Government rejected a health chief's call for coronavirus 'Plan B' as cases surge.
On Tuesday, the Government said a further 223 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 - bringing the UK total to 138,852.
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While the numbers are often higher on Tuesdays because of a lag in reporting deaths and cases over the weekend, this is the highest figure for daily reported deaths since March 9.
Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at 44,145 infections per day - the highest level for almost three months.
However, Cabinet minister Kwasi Kwarteng had said it is not time to introduce "Plan B", which could see requirements to wear face masks and the compulsory use of vaccine passports to enter England's nightclubs and other crowded venues.
But Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents health bodies, warned "we risk stumbling into a winter crisis" unless measures are introduced now.
He called for ministers to come up with a "Plan C" of even tougher restrictions if those measures are insufficient to address pressure on the health service.
Mr Javid is expected to hold the press conference at 5pm.
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